Geraldine Pearl Layden

Geraldine S Layden, 92, of Denver died Thursday, June 30, at Sunrise At Cherry Creek in Denver. She was born March 2, 1913, in Downs, Kansas, to Alonzo and Bessie Stepp. She graduated from Smith Center High School in 1930 and a year later started teaching in rural schools. She taught for five consecutive years before her teaching career was cut short due to not being able to finish course work required to maintain her credentials. Lending money to her father in hard times resulted in no money available to take classes in the summer. She moved to Denver where she met and was courted by James Layden. Gerry converted to Catholicism and married Jim on September 11, 1937. Gerry and Jim raised their family in Denver until Jim was called to active duty during W.W.II. They spent time in Texas and Indiana before returning to Denver in 1945. Gerry was a housewife dedicated to making the best home for her family. That included a spiritual as well as physical home. Every child received an education in the Catholic Schools through high school. Jim and Gerry étreatedé the family to vacations of week long camping trips every summer. Gerry cheerfully endured the discomfort and inconvenience associated with these camping trips. Mrs. Layden loved keeping an ornamental and vegetable garden. Her gardening added much to the Layden meals as well as giving her experience for one of her most noted volunteer positions. Gerry served as volunteer coordinator for the Denver Botanic Gardens Childrenés Garden Program during the 1960s. After Jimés retirement from the Denver Tramway in 1975, Jim and Gerry wintered in Mexico for several years. They eventually moved to Grand Junction in 1985 where they lived until Jim's death in 1993. Gerry stayed in Grand Junction until her struggle with Alzheimer's forced her to move to Greeley in 2001 to be close to family. Jim and Gerry leave a legacy of service to others as they volunteered in many positions wherever they were. Much of their volunteer work was associated with the Catholic Church. They were trained and served as Stephen Ministers in Grand Junction. They were both active in the church choir at St. Philomenaés Church in Denver. Gerry was active for many years in Grand Junction in the Time Bank Program volunteering as companion help for those in need. They also helped for several years with the Gray Gourmet program in Grand Junction. Mrs. Layden is proceeded in death by her parents, her husband James on March 28, 1993; sisters Gertrude Stepp, Maxine Stepp, and Marguerite Reid; brothers Franklin, Harold, and Paul Stepp. Survivors include her children Thomas and Tricia Layden of Seattle, WA; Nancy Kerver of Denver; David and Marilynn Layden of Pueblo West; Lawrence and JoAnn Layden of Black Lake, NM; Mark and Eileen Layden of Denver; Nick and Renee Layden of Redmond WA; Toby and Nancy Layden of Greeley; sixteen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Arrangements are being handled by Horan McConaty Mortuary in Denver. Memorials are suggested to Alzheimer's Association Rocky Mountain Chapter 455 Sherman St., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80203.